We invite readers to send short stories about the ways in which their lives have been personally blessed by the life and work of priests and religious in our diocese.

By Karina Fabian

One of the wonderful things about the Helena diocese is that it allows some of its priests to pursue careers as educators, and Father Thomas Flynn feels particularly blessed by this. Father Flynn, while a priest of the diocese, is also a professor of philosophy at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., one of the top schools in the nation.

The unique position of Catholic priest-professor is one Father Flynn has felt called to his whole life. Even in high school, he knew he wanted both to teach and to be a priest.

Since he grew up in Anaconda, it was a natural choice to attend Carroll College, as his brothers had. Afterward, he went to the Gregorian University and seminary in Rome, Italy. In 1962, he graduated and began his teaching career in Carroll College.

For the next 18 years, he taught at Carroll; Catholic University in Washington, D.C.; and St. Mary’s College Seminary in Baltimore; and he earned a doctorate in philosophy at Columbia University.

Laughing, he said that, during that time, he didn’t live in one place more than four years, which he appreciated because it kept him from accumulating a lot of stuff. Nonetheless, his real gratitude goes to the Helena bishops for the support they gave him as he went through the necessary hoops to gain a full professorship at a university.

In 1978, he was offered a position at Emory. Because it was a Methodist university, his fellow professors were unsure about having a priest in their ranks, he said. However, over time, he has gained their trust and proven himself an asset to the department and students. Likewise, he feels his position is an asset to the faith. “It’s good to have a Catholic presence here. In addition to the many Catholic students in the school, I deal with people who wouldn’t normally talk to a priest or know a priest otherwise. I have a chance to show them that priests are human, but they also have a spirituality that they can share.

“Students tell me I talk about topics other professors wouldn’t dare approach, and I think that’s a good thing. I’m opening doors for many students who would not go to a Catholic school. It’s an important mission.”

Nonetheless, he finds it very important to keep close to his fellow parish priests, whom he says are on the “front line” of faith. Father Flynn assists in Mass at several parishes in Atlanta, including the Missionaries of Charity and the Byzantine Catholic Church just two blocks from his home. He had to become qualified in the Melkite liturgy, which is similar to Greek Orthodox, although its followers have remained faithful to the Roman Catholic Church. He also keeps active in the Archdiocese of Atlanta as well as keeping in contact with priest friends in Helena.

Even though he only gets to visit Helena about once a year, he still feels very close to the people of the diocese, and thankful not only for the opportunities they have given him, but for their inspiration.

“I have been graced by being around some very good and holy priests in this diocese. I have known several men who were extraordinary not only for their intelligence but their spirituality, and that has made a difference in my life not just then but now. I can hearken back to their example to how I should be as a priest. Even now, I feel very much a part of the Helena diocese.”


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 21, No. 10, November 18, 2005.